Preface

It has been an honor to publish this book. It is a wonderful thing for both Okinawa and the International world of Karate. I would like to thank all the people who were involved in publishing this book.

Ti, which originated and developed from Okinawa’s ancient martial arts (Bujutsu), though native to Okinawa, was influenced by Chinese "Kenpo" and other Bujutsu from South East Asia. The three gradually systematized and evolved into today’s Karate. Karate was kept behind closed doors and was never revealed to the public during the era of the Ryukyu kingdom. However, around the mid-Meiji era, Karate’s physical skills had been recognized and it was taught in the school system as part of the physical education curriculum.

After Karate was introduced and spread within the schools through the physical education curriculum, it found its way overseas, primarily as a sport. Sports Karate has become a major point of contention among those traditional Karate instructors who emphasize Karate as Bujutsu.

I personally consider Ti as the technique that has evolved from what has been the soldier’s wisdom and has been able to stand the test of time. It is for this reason I attach great importance to the Bujutsu aspect of Karate.

Karate as Bujutsu requires us to train to be strong enough to kill with a single technique, but it is paramount to also train one’s soul and mind, thus from a training point of view , Karate as Bujutsu is also Karate as Budo.

At present there are three types of Karate as "Budo". Shorin-ryu (Kobayashi-ryu, Shorinji-ryu, Matsubayashi-ryu), Goju-ryu, Uechi-ryu are the three major Ryuha. Considering the way Karate has been introduced to the world in present times, I strongly hope the waza (technique) and philosophy of Karate-do of these three main Ryuha, along with the Ti, will be carried on along from generation to generation.

I would like to close my preface to this publication by strongly praying that Karate-do’s correct character and tradition be taught to the next generations.